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ITEM lb. STUDENT CITIZENSHIP AWARDS — Lincoln Elementary
Hayek: Before we move on to Item 2, uh, we're going to have a special, uh, student
presentation. Would the Lions from Lincoln Elementary please come forward!
You guys ready to get back to school? (laughter) I bet you are. I know my kids
are! Well I want to welcome you! My name's Matt Hayek, I'm the Mayor of
Iowa City and this is your City Council behind you, and these are the folks who
make a lot of decisions, uh, for the City and it's a real honor to have you guys
here. What we do throughout the school year is bring, uh, student leaders from
the elementary schools of Iowa City to our ... to our meetings, uh, and you get
nominated by your teachers and ... and um, you are a reflection of your school and
you're selected because you have done such a good job at your school, uh, being a
leader and showing, uh, a good example to ... to others, uh, at Lincoln. So, it's a
great honor for us to have you here. I want to, and I have an award and I know
you guys are going to read your piece, but I want to make sure I mention your
teachers and your... and your families, uh, and... and the other people who play a
big role in your lives, uh, cause obviously, uh, they should be thanked as well.
So, I see each of you did the, uh, the one and only thing we need which is to
bring, uh, a little piece of paper to read to us. So check that box and uh, we'll
start with you and... and if you could just tell us a little bit about yourself!
Brady: Thank you. Good evening, my name is Esti Brady. I'm a sixth grader at Lincoln
Elementary. I would like to thank the City Council for this award. I'd also like to
thank my family, our principal, Mrs. Langenfeld, and every teacher I've ever had.
Outside of school I'm so thankful for my soccer and running coaches, and my
piano teacher, Shila. I very much appreciate everything they do for us kids. I
recognize how hard the work to teach and inspire us to be the best that we can be.
With their help, we can find our strengths and passions. Everyone has something
special to offer to the world, and I think we are supposed to figure out what that
something special is in each of us and how to use that to make the world a better
place. My family has always helped me find m uniqueness and to pursue my
dreams, and without my family I wouldn't be who I am today. As my inspiration
Sylvester Stallone has said, it's not about how hard you hit, it's about how hard
you can get hit and keep moving forward. (laughter) Thank you. (applause)
Taylor: Hello, my name is Matt Taylor and I am a sixth grader at Lincoln Elementary. I
would like to thank the City Council so much for this award that I received. I
would especially like to thank my teachers and my parents who have helped me
attain this award in many ways. At Lincoln, my parents and my teachers
encourage me to participate in extracurric ... curricular activities. At school I'm
currently participating in safety patrol; I'm the student council president; I
volunteer to serve lunch to help younger kids out; I play the tuba in band too. I
also ran the 5K for Run for the Schools. I give my best effort in my schoolwork
and after school activities. Some things I work hard in after school include
soccer, hockey, piano as well. I also enjoy giving donations for things to people
who don't have them. I have helped in donations and services in and out of
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of January 7, 2014.
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school. So once again, I would just like to thank my family, coaches, teachers,
and the City Council. Thank you. (applause)
Hayek: Well those are fantastic. Esti, I know your parents and so I'm not surprised that
you turned out so great, and Matt, you have such a good first name (laughter) that
there's no surprise you've turned out well, and we've ... we get a lot of great
presentations, but we've never had a quote from Rocky! So (laughter) ...anyway,
we have an award for you and... and uh, one for you, Matt, and it reads as follows.
It's a Citizenship Award and it says for his or her outstanding qualities of
leadership within Lincoln Elementary, as well as the community, and for his or
her sense of responsibility and helpfulness to others, we recognize you as an
Outstanding Student Citizen. Your community is proud of you. Presented by the
Iowa City City Council, January 2014. Esti, here is yours, and Matt, here is
yours. Let me shake your hand and congratulate you. Is there going to be school
tomorrow?
Brady: Yes!
Hayek: Okay, that's good to know! (laughter) Well, congratulations! (applause)
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of January 7, 2014.
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ITEM 3. COMMUNITY COMMENT (ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA).
Hayek: This is the opportunity at each City Council meeting for members of the public to
bring, uh, to the Council's attention items that are not on the agenda. So if there's
something that is not on tonight's agenda and you'd like to bring it to our
attention, we invite you to step forward. Please sign in and verbally, uh, give us
your name, and limit your comments to five minutes please!
Knight: Hello! My name is Roger Knight, Jr. Uh, I've been here multiple times and scare
you guys every time, so ... (laughs) Yay! Here we go! Um ... I'd just like to bring
...I brought it up before we got the snow, and now that we've got the snow, you
could walk outside and see what I'm saying. Sidewalks are pretty good. Streets,
pretty good, but where the two meet, not so good! When you can step over it,
that's not a problem. Well, I'm not going to be able to step over these problems.
You got big old puddles which, you know, you can't do much about, but the snow
and ice that piles up right where these two meet. It gets very scary to try to get to
a bus stop for doctor appointments or whatever. I feel like I have to risk my life
to get to an appointment. That's not acceptable. And I'd like to see some
changes done on that. And ... I know that the City's in some serious debt, um, not
as bad as Coralville (laughs) um, sorry, that's a shot at Coralville (laughs) Um,
it's just ... you know, we have an issue with money and we're looking at really re-
amping the downtown, but you can't even figure out how to heal cracks in the
sidewalk. You know, that's an issue too. My tires end up getting stuck in there or
whatever, and I don't know if I need to start sending `em bills for when tires
break, you know, I don't want to do that, and I shouldn't have to do that!
Shouldn't be an issue that way. So if we can get the sidewalks fixed and... ice
dealt up, you know, done over or whatever has to be done, it would be a lot better
for me, but another issue I wanted to bring up real quick is, I know you, Mr.
Mayor, said that you've done really a lot of work on this is ... low income for rent,
for those who don't have low income. Well now that it's cold out, it shouldn't
have to be done now. But, with how we're hearing about homeless ... you know,
and this cold, we need to have more done, and this is a college town. The
University's really... going to say whatever happens, you know, everything has to
be done for the U, almost. But, I have friends that they can't even look at a two -
bedroom apartment because that's too much, too much money on the person.
They have to go to a three- bedroom and have another friend join, and it can't even
be here in Iowa City cause everything in Iowa City's too expensive for that. They
have to go to Coralville. Something hopefully can be looked at for a solution here
in Iowa City. Thank you.
Hayek: Thank you. Geoff, in your capacity with Downtown District, I'm not sure if
they're messaging to business owners about snow removal but ... might be
something to check into.
Fruin: Sure!
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of January 7, 2014.
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ITEM 4. PLANNING AND ZONING MATTERS.
ITEM 4a SCHOOL DISTRICT REZONING ON SYCAMORE STREET —
REZONING APPROXIMATELY 15.78 ACRES FROM COUNTY
RESIDENTIAL (R) TO NEIGHBORHOOD PUBLIC (P -1) AND 29.07
ACRES FROM COUNTY RESIDENTIAL (R) TO INTERIM
DEVELOPMENT SINGLE - FAMILY RESIDENTIAL (ID -RS) LOCATED
ON SYCAMORE STREET SOUTH OF THE CURRENT CITY LIMITS.
(REZ13- 00023) [Discussion only at formal meeting] (PASS AND ADOPT)
Mims: Move adoption.
Dickens: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Mims, second (several talking) Moved by Mims, seconded by
Dickens. Discussion? Any ex parte from the last reading? Okay. Any further
discussion? Roll call, please. Passes 7 -0.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of January 7, 2014.
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ITEM 4b SCHOOL DISTRICT REZONING ON AMERICAN LEGION
ROAD — REZONING APPROXIMATELY 15.14 ACRES FROM COUNTY
RESIDENTIAL (R) TO NEIGHBORHOOD PUBLIC (P -1) LOCATED ON
AMERICAN LEGION ROAD AND BARRINGTON ROAD. (REZ13- 00025)
[Discussion only at formal meeting] (PASS AND ADOPT)
Mims: Move adoption.
Dickens: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Mims, seconded by Dickens. Discussion? Any ex parte? Any further
discussion? Roll call, please. Passes 7 -0.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of January 7, 2014.
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ITEM 5. ROCKY SHORE STORMWATER PUMP STATION — APPROVING
PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, FORM OF CONTRACT, AND ESTIMATE
OF COST FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ROCKY SHORE
STORMWATER PUMP STATION PROJECT, ESTABLISHING
AMOUNT OF BID SECURITY TO ACCOMPANY EACH BID,
DIRECTING CITY CLERK TO PUBLISH NOTICE TO BIDDERS, AND
FIXING TIME AND PLACE FOR RECEIPT OF BIDS.
a. PUBLIC HEARING
Hayek: This is a public hearing. The public hearing is open. (bangs gavel) For the
public's information, this is a ... a significant, uh, project, uh, involving, uh, the
protection of Iowa City and Coralville businesses, and University of Iowa
facilities. Estimated cost of construction is about $6.6 million, and will be funded
with Iowa Economic Development Authority Grant and a Community
Development Block Grant. Anyone from the public? Okay, I'll close the hearing.
(bangs gavel)
b. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION
Throgmorton: Move the resolution.
Payne: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Throgmorton, seconded by Payne. Discussion? Roll call, please.
Passes 7 -0.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of January 7, 2014.
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ITEM 6. CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION — ESTABLISHMENT
Mims: Move the resolution.
Payne: Second.
Hayek: Moved by Mims, seconded by Payne. Discussion?
Throgmorton: I wondered if somebody could describe what this commission is supposed to do,
how ... what the appointments are for and that kind of thing.
Hayek: Sure, uh ... sure, Eleanor, you want to...
Dilkes: Um ... as you all know the ... uh, Iowa City has a Home Rule Charter, uh, which
sets forth its form of government. Um, and one of the Charter provisions requires
that at least every ten years a Charter Commission be established of, um ... nine
members, or more, um, to review the Charter and make recommendations to the
City Council. Um, when the City Council ... they are to complete their work
within a year or sooner if they can. Um... and... at the end of that process, if they
...they make recommendations to the City Council and the City Council can
either adopt them or they can, um ... uh, give them to the voters on the ballot to
decide.
Hayek: And ... and...
Dilkes: And we are going to ... we're going to do the, um, the uh ... the process for
appointing commission members like we do with every other board and
commission, um, adver ... Marian takes care of that process, advertising, etc. Um,
and uh...
Karr: We'll advertise in ... in the same fashion, the full 30 days, then bring you back a
list of...of applicants and you can then appoint or decide to defer and readvertise.
The resolution, um, requests that you make your appointments no later than, uh,
the end of March so that ... that we can commence work in April.
Hayek: And in a few minutes we'll announce that vacancy, along with other, uh,
commission vacancies.
Throgmorton: Thanks, Eleanor. I ... I guess I do have one question. I ... I don't know if either
you or Marian can answer it, but uh ... I ... I see that the, uh, the Charter was
created in 19 ... or the first commission was created in 1973, I guess. So the... the
Charter was adopted in, what 74?
Dilkes: It was adopted by ordinance in 76, adopted by the voters in 73, I think.
Throgmorton: Do either of you know what the form of government was prior to that?
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of January 7, 2014.
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Dilkes: I don't ... I don't know. City Manager? I don't know.
Karr: I do know we had a five - member Council at that time, and this increased it to
seven. Uh, I certainly could provide that background, put it in the packet as well
as on the website for people interested in that.
Throgmorton: I ... I was just curious, cause I know it's not something I am knowledgeable about
at all so ... (mumbled)
Dilkes: And I don't know if the same forms of government were available under the State
Code as they are today, so ... I don't know.
Throgmorton: Thanks!
Hayek: Further discussion? Roll call, please.
Karr: Mr. Mayor, if I could just have one clarification. As outlined we'll do it as we do
all other boards and commissions with the one possible exception and that's
direction from you on whether a person can serve on more than one board or
commission... at the same time. We have a ... the policy, and we just want to be
sure that we note that. It's in the resolution right now, so...
Hayek: Not sure anyone looked at that.
Botchway: So you wouldn't be able to serve ... (several talking)
Karr: We are suggesting that you make that change, which is different than all other
boards and commissions (several talking)
Mims: I think that sounds good!
Throgmorton: I ... I think it's completely appropriate, and in the end we're ... we will be the
people appointing, uh, the members so...
Dobyns: Yeah, don't constrain us at this point.
Mims: This incredibly important ... (several responding) ... incredibly important board.
Dickens: Get the best people on it. (several responding)
Hayek: Okay. Uh ... we voted, so that's supported 7 -0.
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of January 7, 2014.
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ITEM 10. CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION.
Hayek: Why don't we start down with you!
Dobyns: Uh, I just want to welcome Kingsley to the Council! Um, your presence here,
Kingsley, confirms my knowledge that the quality of this Council is at the far
ends of the desk so (laughter) just, uh, looking across the work session, Terry, and
I were looking across at you and (mumbled) thinking, boy, we're getting' older!
Welcome, Kingsley! (laughter)
Botchway: Thanks! Thanks!
Payne: I have nothing.
Dickens: Yeah, welcome, Kingsley, and also like to publicly thank the staff for the budget
process. It went very smoothly and we know in the future it may not be as
smooth but ... thank you for all the ... entire staff for their work they've put in on it.
Mims: Yeah, I would just echo what Terry said, um. ... we were in between meetings and I
can't remember who it was, I guess it was Geoff saying seems like we've seen a
lot of each other lately in between, um, all day Saturday and yesterday afternoon,
and then another meeting tonight, but yet very ... very efficient, uh, good process,
um, hope the community will take a look at the budget and see what we're doing
and what our priorities are and how the ... the money aligns with, uh, the strategic
plan. So, uh, a good event, and hope everybody's off to a good start to 2014 and
also welcome to Kingsley!
Throgmorton: Well, I just ... hope that everybody can be safe and warm tonight.
Hayek: Kingsley, anything?
Botchway: And uh, I guess for me, uh, obviously thanking City staff. I mean, this has been,
um, weird to say the least. Kind of jumping into the budget process, um, but
(laughter) everybody's been able to answer questions. I haven't felt, you know, I
mean, I haven't felt any type of alienation, and so that's been really good. Um,
even beforehand, you know, obviously after the election, just kind of you know
ingratiating myself in a lot of different things so it's been great, and then just
from, you know, everybody else here, it's ... um, you know, there's... since I work
with other cities, there's some def...definite divisive issues between City Council
Members. I'm glad to not know ... or I'm glad to know there ... this is not the
problem here, and so um, at least right now (laughter) so um (several talking and
laughing)
Mims: You have joined ... I think ... in my experience of working on different boards,
commissions, councils, etc., over the years ... and many people around the
community talk about this, we have ... I think, one of the most respectful City
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of January 7, 2014.
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Councils or elected officials board around. I mean, we may disagree, you know,
philosophically, politically on issues...
Botchway: Right.
Mims: ...but I don't think we've ever had a meeting that anybody has walked out of
here, you know, really mad at each other or not speaking, I mean, we'll talk about
our views and where we agree and where we disagree, but we are polite, we are
respectful, and we move on from it, and ... glad to welcome you to it and I don't
think it'll change — not unless you do it (laughter and several talking)
Botchway: Thank you, appreciate it! (laughter and several talking)
Hayek: Anyway, uh, Kingsley, welcome. I also want to, uh, echo the ... the compliments
to staff for a fantastic budget process. Um, there are so many good things coming
out of City Hall these days, and I also want to thank City staff, uh, those who have
been involved, whether it's police protection or garbage or ... or ... or other refuse
pickup, for your work over the last several days with the cold temperatures, uh,
you've managed to keep things going despite, uh, unbelievably cold, uh, weather.
So...
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of January 7, 2014.
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ITEM 11. REPORT ON ITEMS FROM CITY STAFF.
a) City Manager.
Hayek: City Manager!
Markus: Uh, on behalf of the staff, welcome, Kingsley.
Botchway: Thanks.
Markus: Every week goes like this. We meet all day on Saturday (laughter) and we get
together on Monday afternoon and (laughter) have our Council meetings on
Tuesdays, so...(several talking) I hope you enjoy the schedule! (laughter)
Hayek: It's pretty much nine hours every Saturday!
Botchway: Oh, okay. Good to know, good to know! (laughter)
This represents only a reasonably accurate transcription of the Iowa City City Council
formal meeting of January 7, 2014.